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MLB Power Rankings: Cardinals and Angels climbing

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 19: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrates with third base coach Ron Roenicke #10 as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 19, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 19: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrates with third base coach Ron Roenicke #10 as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 19, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – AUGUST 13: Logan Morrison #7 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts after striking out swinging to pitcher Corey Kluber of the Cleveland Indians during the sixth inning of a game on August 13, 2017 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – AUGUST 13: Logan Morrison #7 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts after striking out swinging to pitcher Corey Kluber of the Cleveland Indians during the sixth inning of a game on August 13, 2017 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
16

Tampa Bay Rays 61-65

Last week: 2-8
Last rank: 10

The Rays were looking incredibly strong as the second half began, but since peaking at 51-44, Tampa Bay is just 10-21. Scoring runs has become a supreme challenge for a team that had been blasting the ball out of the park at a dizzying clip. In the second half, the Rays are hitting .215/.291/.358 with 39 home runs and 110 runs in 36 games. They hit 133 home runs in only 90 games in the first half.

This type of regression seemed impossible for the Rays to avoid. Logan Morrison has batted .217/.313/.374 since the break while Corey Dickerson has been even worse, slashing .206/.260/.346. The Rays ditched former top prospect Tim Beckham in favor of Brad Miller, who has hit .155/.285/.262 in the second half.

15

Kansas City Royals 62-61

Last week: 5-5
Last rank: 12

The momentum the Royals built at the end of July when they ran their record up to 55-48 has gone the opposite direction. They have lost 13 of 20 games since taking what felt like a commanding lead for a wild card and are now on the outside looking in. Starting pitching had been the issue all season, and the addition of Trevor Cahill at the deadline has been a total disaster.

Cahill managed to make three starts for the Royals after the trade and posted an 8.18 ERA before hitting the disabled list with more shoulder trouble. He is likely done for the year. The Royals knew what they were getting into with Cahill, as he had made only 11 starts for the Padres before the trade.

If the Royals are unable to arrest their tumble down the standings, the decision to hold onto every big trade chip at the deadline could haunt the franchise for years to come. Already working with one of the weakest farm systems in the league, Kansas City further depleted their pool of prospects and will not stand to gain much in compensation if they lose Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas or Lorenzo Cain this winter.

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